Pelargonium plant named ‘KLEPZ09251’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Pelargonium  named ‘KLEPZ09251’ particularly characterized by dark green foliage with strong leaf zonation, shiny salmon inflorescences with a lighter border, and a medium growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Pelargonium zonale.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPZ09251’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety ofPelargonium, botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘KLEPZ09251’. ‘KLEPZ09251’ wasdiscovered as a seedling resulting from a controlled cross in September2004 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female Pelargoniumparent, ‘Pisa kleaspia’ (unpatented) and the proprietary malePelargonium parent, ‘SI 015’ (unpatented). A single plant selection wassubsequently chosen for further evaluation and for asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated via vegetative cuttings in June2005 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedlyby vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany for approximately six toseven generations. ‘KLEPZ09251’ has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetativecuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in Canada onMar. 25, 2009. ‘KLEPZ09251’ has not been made publicly available or soldmore than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normal commercialpractices in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Dark green foliage with strong leaf zonation;    -   2. Shiny salmon inflorescences with a lighter border; and    -   3. A medium growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Pelargonium plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographwhich shows blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant. The colors shown areas true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. The photograph is of a 3-month-old plant taken in Januarythrough April 2009 and grown from rooted cuttings in a 12 centimeter potin a greenhouse (glasshouse) in Stuttgart, Germany under conditionswhich approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEPZ09251’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inStuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on 3-month old,un-pinched plants grown in 12 centimeter pots in a greenhouse in Januarythrough April. The color readings were determined under natural light.Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Geraniacaea.        -   Species.—Pelargonium zonale.        -   Common name.—Pelargonium (Geranium).        -   Denomination.—‘KLEPZ09251’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary female Pelargonium parent,            ‘Pisa kleaspia’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary male Pelargonium parent, ‘SI            015’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Height.—20.0 cm to 22.0 cm.        -   Spread.—20.0 cm.        -   Life cycle.—Spring to autumn.        -   Form.—Rounded, bushy.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—18 days.        -   Time to bloom from propagation.—Approximately 75 days.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—10 to 14 days.-   Stems:    -   -   Stem color.—RHS 146B to RHS N199A.        -   Pubescence.—Present and very short.        -   Stem form.—Round.        -   Diameter.—0.5 cm to 1.0 cm.        -   Length.—10.0 cm to 20.0 cm.        -   Internode length.—0.8 cm to 2.0 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Shape.—Kidney-shaped-round.        -   Apex.—Round.        -   Base.—Closed to open.        -   Margin.—Entire to crenate.        -   Surface texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Dull.        -   Length.—5.0 cm to 10.0 cm.        -   Width.—6.0 cm to 12.0 cm.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS 137A.        -   Surface pubescence.—Slightly rough.        -   Petiole.—Length: 4.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Color: RHS 146B and RHS            N199A.        -   Venation pattern.—Palmate.        -   Venation color.—RHS 137B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Umbels.—Length: 6.0 cm to 9.0 cm. Diameter: 7.0 cm to 10.0            cm.        -   Individual florets of the umbel.—Depth: 2.0 cm. Diameter:            4.0 cm.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Cluster shape.—Round.        -   Cluster size.—Length: 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. Width: 0.54 cm to            0.8 cm.        -   Texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Bud.—Shape: Elliptic, shell-shaped. Apex: Peaked. Base:            Blunt. Margin: Entire, smooth. Color: RHS 137B and RHS            N199A.-   Petals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—Greater than 6.        -   Shape.—Drop-shaped.        -   Apex.—Round.        -   Base.—Dull.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—1.8 cm to 2.0 cm.        -   Width.—1.5 cm.        -   Color of lobes.—Upper lobes (both upper and lower surfaces):            RHS N30B and RHS 38A. Lower lobes (both upper and lower            surfaces): RHS 50D.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color (upper surface).—RHS 137B.        -   Length.—0.5 cm.        -   Width.—0.3 cm.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm to 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—RHS N199A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—10.0 cm to 20.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.4 cm to 0.6 cm.        -   Color.—RHS N199A and RHS 146B.        -   Texture.—Slightly rough.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Anther length: 0.3 cm. Filament length: 0.6 cm.            Filament color: RHS 62D. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen            color: RHS 31B.        -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Stigma color: RHS N57A. Style length:            0.5 cm. Style color: RHS 62D. Ovary arrangement: Central,            middle.-   Fruit and seed set: None observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: No particular disease or insect    resistance observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLEPZ09251’ differs from the female parent, the proprietary femalePelargonium parent, ‘Pisa kleaspia’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPZ09251’has darker salmon-colored flowers and a medium growth habit, while ‘Pisakleaspia’ has a light salmon-colored flowers color and a very compactgrowth habit.

‘KLEPZ09251’ differs from the male parent, the proprietary malePelargonium parent, ‘SI 015’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPZ09251’ hasstrong leaf zonation, while ‘SI 015’ has medium leaf zonation. Inaddition, ‘KLEPZ09251’ has a medium growth habit, while ‘SI 015’ has astrong growth habit.

‘KLEPZ09251’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘FISROLAMON’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,076), in that ‘KLEPZ09251’ has salmon flowersand a medium growth habit, while ‘FISROLAMON’ has salmon-orange flowersand a moderately vigorous growth habit. In addition, ‘KLEPZ09251’ hasdark green foliage with strong leaf zonation, while ‘FISROLAMON’ hasmedium green foliage with medium to strong leaf zonation.

1. A new and distinct variety of Pelargonium plant named ‘KLEPZ09251’ asshown and described herein.